A Grade II-listed Great Yarmouth hotel that was a hotspot for Victorian royalty has been sold.

The 55-bedroom Royal Hotel on the Golden Mile was purchased by AYA Hotels, a consortium of three hospitality businesses based in the Norfolk region, off a guide price of £1.2m.

The Royal Hotel stands prominently on the town's Marine Parade, and in its Victorian heyday it became one of the premier destinations among the country's elite.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: One of the reception rooms at the hotel. Picture - ColliersOne of the reception rooms at the hotel. Picture - Colliers (Image: Colliers)Formerly known as the Victoria Hotel, Queen Victoria's eldest son, Edward VII, took a liking to its seafront views and would whisk his mistress, singer and stage actress Lillie Langtry, away on romantic getaways.

These secret rendezvous eventually prompted the hotel to change its name and his crest even adorns the top of the building.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: King Edward VII Picture: SubmittedKing Edward VII Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

READ MORE: Great Yarmouth hotel fire: Neighbours frustrated over derelict​Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Royal Hotel in 1971. Picture - Newsquest ArchivesThe Royal Hotel in 1971. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Archant)

It was also frequented by literature royalty Charles Dickens who stayed at the hotel between 1848 and 1849 when he wrote David Copperfield.

As well as 55 bedrooms the Grade II-listed hotel has a spacious bar and tearoom which can host 60 guests alongside the Red Lounge, Palm Court and Ballroom Suite which can hold 30, 30 and 100 people respectively.

READ MORE: Great Yarmouth: The Comfort Hotel sold for £1.5 million

Great Yarmouth Mercury: ROOM WITH A VIEW: Looking out at Great Yarmouth's seafront. Picture - ColliersROOM WITH A VIEW: Looking out at Great Yarmouth's seafront. Picture - Colliers (Image: Colliers)An AYA Hotels spokesperson said: “It’s great to be expanding our portfolio in Great Yarmouth. The seaside destination has been experiencing a revival in recent years, and we’re pleased to be part of that process, providing quality hospitality services for tourists as well as locals.”

It was sold by the Hotel Agency team at commercial real estate firm Colliers, which also sold the Comfort Hotel on Albert Square to HH Hotels in August.

Josh Sullivan, associate director for the Hotel Agency team at Colliers, said: “The Royal Hotel received substantial interest thanks to its prime location on the seafront, large number of rooms as well as being steeped in history."